Ordinary runners,
extraordinary womenby Samantha BluhmWe are women living in the same small Midwest town, but there is no obvious reason we are friends. Our paths and our histories are unique; our race paces and running experiences vast. Our ages range from 29 to 54, and yet a force greater than ourselves has brought us together this Saturday morning to run the 10-mile loop we lovingly refer to as the Rooster Run, for its namesake informs us when we're in his territory. As the six of
us gather at the designated mailbox, it's clear that we understand the general principles of running - wearing supportive running shoes, warming up and staying hydrated - but collectively we know much more than that. On this beautiful morning, with the sun on the horizon and a demanding hill not far off, it occurs to me that we have run a combined 30 marathons. In and of itself, that's extraordinary. But what really fascinates me is that we are really ordinary women who have
achieved the extraordinary. I am charmed to count myself among them. As we begin our journey, I find myself identifying the gifts and talents of the individuals that make up this group, determined to uncover the reasons we each run. Our motivations are as diverse as the course we have set out to conquer. Cindy
At the top of our first hill is our first scheduled hydration break, and Cindy arrives first. She has completed an Ironman, run 16 marathons, a dozen half
marathons and countless l0Ks. She is by far the strongest, most determined woman I have ever met. As evidenced by her demanding Ironman training schedule, her endurance and threshold for pain is beyond anything I've ever witnessed. Overweight as a child and determined to never be again, Cindy's reasons for running are honorable and empowering. At 5-foot 2-inches, the 48-year-old sixth-grade math teacher demonstrates daily who she is. She refuses to allow the challenges of her childhood
to dictate her life's path. Running her first marathon at the age of 40, Cindy dreams big and works hard to achieve lofty goals. Seeing her commitment and determination to reach higher and dig deeper is often what motivates me to beat the next hill, instead of letting the hill beat me. Aileen
Aileen has a demanding, big-city professional career, although her story is much richer than that. Married to an elementary school teacher and high school track coach, Aileen rises at
4:30 a.m. most days to run five miles before commuting to work. I was aware of her long-distance accomplishments before we met a few years ago at the local gym. She shared with me her passion for running and enthusiastically invited me to join her. I decided to put her reputation as a fast runner aside and joined her for what turned out to be the beginning of a sisterhood that has brought immense joy and connectedness to my life. Â Deeply impacted by the public and tragic
death of her 6-year-old son 18 years ago, Aileen's strengths lie in her ability to encourage and mentor newcomers to the sport. She finds solace in her early morning runs and joy in running with a group committed to continual self-improvement and a zest for life. Her competitive spirit is evident as her stride increases to keep pace with the lead runners. Her strong, healthy exterior is equaled by a compassionate and loving interior, as she listens to others and offers wisdom born of
her trials. Aileen's bright smile and no-nonsense personality communicate her confidence in pursuing a life filled with healing, peace and purpose. Her marathon running sets another example of what's possible. Beth
One of Aileen's protégés is Beth, a blonde, blue-eyed and naturally beautiful 33-year-old physical therapist. Beth's commitment to helping others heal is ironic. Her personal passion for life has not been fully realized. She is heartbroken over not being able to
conceive a child. Yet, Beth has confronted her fertility issues with this same discipline she calls upon to train for and run marathons. Friendly and benevolent, yet competitive, Beth approaches obstacles - be they on the road, trails or in life - as challenges that make her stronger. As we tire from another hill and become discouraged by the 20-mph wind blowing in our faces, Beth encourages us to focus on the next closest landmark. This approach is serving her well as she endeavors to
become a mother. Jenny
A young mother of two with a driven, Type A personality, Jenny is the secret envy of this not-so-natural runner. Having finished seven marathons, her best marathon time is something I could only accomplish in my dreams. Currently training for an ultramarathon, Jenny is a gifted athlete with the ability to run competitively despite injuries and the demands of a young family. As a teacher, a wife, mother and runner, Jenny finds balance and sanity in
running. Facing the challenges of interrupted sleep, guilt for sending her daughters to day care, but yet wanting to remain competitive, Jenny's running reminds the rest of us that we are only responsible for the process, not the outcome. She realizes her time training could be spent at home with her girls. But she believes she is a better mom, wife and friend because she makes time to run. As she shares stories about her girls and marriage, it becomes clear that her strength is derived
from the love of her family. Running only further nurtures her body and spirit. I am touched by her profound love for life and gracious acceptance of others. I aspire to lead as rich a life as she - one of several role models in this group. As with the others, hearing how Jenny takes on daily challenges allows me to see her as more than the intimidating force she is at the starting line of a race. Sandy
Jenny's mom, Sandy, is a cancer survivor who often blesses us with
her presence on our morning runs. Sandy began running when she turned 41 so as to spend more time with her daughter. The cancer forced Sandy to quit the sport - time she had come to treasure. After months of chemotherapy and energy-draining treatments, Sandy has found the strength within to run again, but this time with a different perspective. As we run, Sandy wears a hat to stay warm, not to hide her baldness. She reminds us that our time is sacred and ought to be cherished,
regardless of how fast or how far we run. Sandy finished her marathon at the age of 50, but she says her greatest accomplishment is having gone the distance today. Me
The slowest of the bunch, this runner is grateful for every opportunity to run with such amazing women. It was not so long ago when running, let alone running with these women, seemed nearly impossible for me. I began walking as a way to lose weight and cope with my failing marriage and impending single
motherhood. As my weight decreased, my strength and confidence increased, along with my ability to run. Even after having run a marathon, I never felt like a runner or believed I belonged in this group. When my divorce was finalized and my circumstances changed, so did my perspective on the sport and the group. No longer was running merely a means to manage anxiety. It was a way to connect with other women whose encouragement and acceptance helped me heal. I found my challenges less
frightening and my commitment to living healthy renewed. I learned that being a single mom who runs marathons was an opportunity to show my son that women can be strong, too. My hope is that one day my son will want to follow Jenny's example and find joy in running with his mom. Today, with more than nine miles under my feet, I feel a completeness that comes from pushing beyond where I've been. And I have the support of women whom I hold in high regard. While the cardiovascular and
emotional benefits are reason enough to get out of bed and run, my greater motivation is in the inspiration and strength I get from the people I spend time with while in my running shoes. From this group of runners I have learned to cherish this moment for what it is, define my life by my choices instead of what others think and look for the positive in every circumstance. I have also learned that preparing for and running a marathon is a big deal. I ponder my contributions to the
group. I believe it is in my gift of gab and gratitude. The longer I run the more I realize that what may seem ordinary can become extraordinary in an instant. I look for that potential and find it on a daily basis. I find it at the starting and finishing lines of every race I run. I find it in those individuals who share their challenges and stories of healing, and I find it everywhere people are making powerful choices for themselves. I find the extraordinary in the women with whom I run
and even in a particular rooster whose "cock-a-doodle-doo!" encourages us to finish strong. As we wrap up our run, we acknowledge each other's efforts along the way. This is a recognition of our life choices and the stories we’ve shared more than of the relative short distance we've just traveled. We muster the strength, courage and stamina to finish marathons and connect with other women. But what makes us extraordinary is our daily choice to be gentle and supportive of
one another and ourselves. It is our belief that anybody can run if they so desire, but they must take the first step. And anybody can choose to be extraordinary. It is a daily choice available to anyone willing to share the path instead of going it alone. Samantha Bluhm lives in River Falls, Wisconsin. She is a life coach and the publisher of The Compass Magazine, the first issue of which is due out in March. For more information, go to www.powerfulperspectives.net. |
